More heat help available for city, BX residents

Help in paying heating bills is on the way for low-income residents in the Bronx and the rest of the city.The Home Energy Assistance Program

THE BRONX - Help in paying heating bills is on the way for low-income residents in the Bronx and the rest of the city.The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally-funded program administered through the state's office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.Governor Spitzer (D-NY) has announced that the program's maximum benefit will go up this year. He said there will be a 23 percent increase from $440 to $540. Spitzer said that the maximum household benefit will also go up. A family of four will now be able to make as much as $43,308 and be eligible for assistance. Last year, the maximum for a family of four was $40,716.Applications for HEAP can be filed with the Department of Social Services.Related Information: HEAP program information